Golf

Golfer Kim Wins U.S Women’s Amateur Qualifier in Gilbert

Jul 14, 2011

Photo Copyright USGA/John Mummert

GILBERT, Ariz. - Rising junior Stephanie Kim won the U.S. Women's Amateur qualifier at Trilogy Golf Club at Power Ranch Wednesday to advance to her second USGA Championship event of the summer and second straight U.S. Women's Amateur.

Kim, who is from Tempe, Ariz., and played at Desert Vista High School, won the local sectional for the second straight year, carding a one-under par 70 to outlast the 28-player field by two strokes. She defeated Jenny Hahn of Henderson, Nev., and Thuhashini Selvaratnam, who both posted one-over par 72. The top four players advanced.

Kim opened the round with birdies on the first three holes and had five overall on the front nine to make the turn at four-under par overall. She closed with three bogeys on the back nine.

"I couldn't get things going on the back nine," said Kim. "I was not sure if I was going to get in with that score but then I found out I had the best score for the day."

The U.S. Women's Amateur will be held at Rhode Island Country Club Aug. 8-14 in Barrington, R.I.

Kim also won the .S. Women's Amateur sectional held at Desert Vista Golf Club in Carefree last summer.

She advanced to the match play at the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links at Bandon Dunes, Ore., earlier this summer before falling on the 19th hole of her match. She was eliminated against Ket Preamchuen of Kennesaw, Ga., after advancing out of stroke play by carding back-to-back rounds of 78, posting a two-day total of 156 to tie for 42nd overall.

"I really wanted to win one match so hopefully I can do that in Rhode Island," said Kim.

The past experience will help her in the third USGA Championship event of her career.

"It should be very helpful," said Kim. "Last year was a whole new atmosphere attending a USGA event. I did not play very well last year at the U.S. Amateur but it was a good experience and it carried over to the Public Links this year. I am pretty excited about this one."

Kim was chosen the Big Sky Player of the Year for the second consecutive season in 2011, earning All-Big Sky first team honors. She broke her own school record for scoring average at 75.3 per round, recording six top 10 finishes and nine top 20 finishes.